Family of man killed calls for an end to violence

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SALEM, Ore. - A young man who was shot and killed at a Salem park was remembered by hundreds at a vigil on Thursday.

Loved ones gathered at Northgate Park holding signs and balloons and wearing t-shirts in memory of 21-year-old Montez Bailey, who was shot in the face on Tuesday.

Bailey was at the park with two of his friends when a young man came up to them, struck up a brief conversation and then opened fire. Bailey was shot in the face and later died. The two others who were with him were shot as well but survived.

Bailey's family said their son was not in a gang but was the victim of gang violence. And now they are asking the community to come together to stop something like this from happening again.

"No more violence," said Kathy Bailey, the victim's mother. "And whomever did this, could you please come forward and that way you get closure, we get closure and we all can move ahead."

Members from the NAACP, Chemeketa Community College and Salem's Chief of Police were at the vigil Thursday night.

"When this crime went down, there were children playing 20 to 30 feet away and they could be scarred for life," said Chief Jerry Moore with the Salem Police Department. "That's just not acceptable in this park, in this community or society. Those things shouldn't happen."

Police believe the suspect is a Hispanic male between 16 and 18 years old. They are asking anyone with information to come forward. Also, Bailey's father said the family is offering a $3,500 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction.